Short answer: the Audeze LCD-GX. It ranks #156 of 216 over-ear headphones by sound quality, rated 3.2/5, at $899. The Audeze LCD-2 Classic ranks #195, rated 2.5/5, at $799, $100 cheaper, not enough of a saving to outweigh the sound-quality gap.
The Audeze LCD-GX is the better-sounding pick. The open-back 106mm planar magnetic driver offers a large, spacious presentation. Watch for: Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and presence is roughly 7 dB low, with a 10 dB dip near 4.9 kHz, so vocals and snare lack clarity and bass lacks rumble.
What the Audeze LCD-2 Classic does well: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver sits in an open-back housing, and the 101 dB/mW sensitivity at 70 ohms means it plays at sensible levels without a heavy-duty amplifier. The tradeoff: Presence runs 6.7 dB and treble 8.3 dB below target, with a deep 15.1 dB dip near 9.5 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, consonants and fine detail sound muted and distant.
Buy the Audeze LCD-GX. It is rated higher for sound quality, and the $100 you would save on the Audeze LCD-2 Classic does not close the gap.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Audeze LCD-GX | Audeze LCD-2 Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $899.00 | $799.00 |
| Ranked | #156 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones | #195 of 216 in Over-Ear Headphones |
| Form Factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Deviation From Target | 3.10 dB standard deviation | 3.73 dB standard deviation |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.82 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) | -1.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-8.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Connection | Wired | Wired |
| Back | Open | Open |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Impedance | 20 ohms | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW | 101 dB/mW |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Weight | - | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
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- Focal Elear vs Audeze LCD-GX
- Audeze LCD-2 Classic vs Focal Clear Mg
- Neumann NDH20 vs Audeze LCD-2 Classic
Prices on this page were last checked October 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM UTC. Product prices and availability are accurate as of that date/time and are subject to change; the price and availability shown on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
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The Two Headphones In Full
Audeze LCD-GX: $899.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: The open-back 106mm planar magnetic driver offers a large, spacious presentation. At 20 ohms and 100 dB/mW it can run from a phone or portable dongle, and the midrange stays close to target, with low mids about 0.7 dB above it.
Cons: Sub-bass is about 7 dB below target and presence is roughly 7 dB low, with a 10 dB dip near 4.9 kHz, so vocals and snare lack clarity and bass lacks rumble. Treble from 6 to 10 kHz is about 5 dB down, making the overall sound dark. The open back leaks sound and offers no isolation.
Full Audeze LCD-GX review and specifications →
| Released | Jul 2019 (7 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.10 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 63 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 20 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 100 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 45 Hz (-7.6 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -0.82 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.5 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +7.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 4,232 Hz | +6.1 dB | 1.97 |
| Peak | 100 Hz | -3.6 dB | 0.29 |
| Peak | 825 Hz | -2.9 dB | 1.38 |
| Peak | 7,329 Hz | +2.6 dB | 1.27 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -6.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 130 Hz | +0.7 dB | 1.72 |
| Peak | 59 Hz | -0.6 dB | 1.94 |
| Peak | 242 Hz | -0.5 dB | 1.99 |
| Peak | 2,773 Hz | -0.7 dB | 4.21 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
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Audeze LCD-2 Classic: $799.00 Amazon eBay
Pros: Its 106mm planar magnetic driver sits in an open-back housing, and the 101 dB/mW sensitivity at 70 ohms means it plays at sensible levels without a heavy-duty amplifier. Low mids sit about 1 dB above target while the top end is held back, so fans of a warm, dark presentation will find the tuning matches their taste.
Cons: Presence runs 6.7 dB and treble 8.3 dB below target, with a deep 15.1 dB dip near 9.5 kHz in oratory1990’s measurement, so cymbals, consonants and fine detail sound muted and distant. Sub-bass also falls 6 dB short by 56 Hz and sits 8.1 dB down at 30 Hz, so deep rumble is thin despite the warm character. At 544 g it is heavy, and the Neumann NDH20 rates higher at a lower price.
Full Audeze LCD-2 Classic review and specifications →
| Released | Feb 2018 (8 years ago) |
|---|---|
| Back | Open |
| Connection | Wired |
| Deviation From Target | 3.73 dB standard deviation |
| Driver Type | Planar magnetic |
| Drivers | 1 x 106mm planar magnetic |
| Form Factor | Over-ear |
| Frequency Response | 10Hz - 50kHz (Manufacturer specified) |
| Harman Preference Score | 49 (measured by oratory1990, via AutoEQ) |
| Impedance | 70 ohms |
| Sensitivity | 101 dB/mW |
| Sub-bass Extension | Falls 6 dB below target at 56 Hz (-8.1 dB at 30 Hz) |
| Tonal Tilt | -1.17 (negative is warmer, positive brighter) |
| Weight | 1.2 lbs (544 g) |
EQ preset to match the Harman target
Set a preamp of -6.1 dB, then add these filters in any parametric equalizer (Wavelet, Equalizer APO, Peace, or a player with parametric EQ). Calculated by AutoEQ from its measured frequency response.
| Filter | Frequency | Gain | Q |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low shelf | 105 Hz | +6.1 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 1,055 Hz | -7.1 dB | 0.85 |
| Peak | 4,512 Hz | +4.5 dB | 0.18 |
| Peak | 131 Hz | -3.1 dB | 0.24 |
| Peak | 1,578 Hz | +2.1 dB | 1.67 |
| High shelf | 10,000 Hz | -2.9 dB | 0.70 |
| Peak | 3,915 Hz | +2.4 dB | 3.67 |
| Peak | 5,838 Hz | -4.3 dB | 6.00 |
| Peak | 2,899 Hz | -1.2 dB | 3.18 |
| Peak | 4,931 Hz | +1.2 dB | 3.53 |
- Reviews, Comparisons and Sound Samples
- Head-to-Head Comparisons